Mount Whitney Tragedy: 14-Year-Old Walks Off Cliff After Saying ‘This Isn’t Real’

A 14-year-old boy was hallucinating on Mount Whitney, seeing Kermit the Frog and insisting he was dreaming. Moments later, he walked off a 120-foot (36m) cliff.

This is the story of Zane Wach—and how altitude sickness almost took his life.

⛰️ For 15% off my favorite outdoor brand click this link and be amazed at the fine offerings of this great outdoor brand company: https://tinyurl.com/BurgeonEverest | use the code EVEREST at checkout

👍 THANK YOU TO THE Camp 4 Supporters of Everest Mystery:
Mike Nicholson
Ursula Dimberger
Henriette Pi
Mike Nicholson

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT IN THE SECTION BELOW and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE if you haven't done so already.

Too many people underestimate Mount Whitney. It may be the highest peak in the lower 48, but it’s treated like a day hike. It’s not. In this video, we explore the deadly risks of high-altitude hiking through Zane’s story and several other heartbreaking examples.

🧭 This video is part of our Everest Mystery series, where we explore the hidden dangers of mountains and the human stories behind the headlines.

TIME STAMPS
00:00 - intro to Mount Whitney’s hidden dangers
00:53 - hidden behind the summit photos is something far more serious
2:08 - Taylor Rodriguez tragedy
3:21 - Ling Dao tragedy
4:30 - Maddie “Riddles” McGee
5:54 - the air is thin at the top
6:22 - Zane and Ryan Wach, father and son, June 2025
10:17 - short interview with Ryan Wach
11:16 - Are these people unprepared?


🔗 GoFundMe to support Zane’s recovery: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-zanes...
🔗 Sources, photos & references: Thanks to Mudcap Molly for several photos, other video sources and photos credited where possible.

Zane’s story: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...

Other stories and full credits in video and pinned comment.

📌 For exclusive content & to support this work:
▶️ Join our membership or Patreon: www.patreon.com/everestmystery

👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe — It all helps us grow.

-------
Here are some ways you can help support this channel:
Our Patreon for access to exclusive content:
  / everestmystery  

Channel Membership for access to perks and exclusive content:
   / @everestmystery  

Tip Jar for anyone who would like to help:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Evere...

-------------------

DISCLAIMER:
Thank you for watching this video! We want to clarify that some of the footage used in this content is intended for educational purposes, providing commentary and analysis on the subject matter. We respect copyright holders and have made efforts to attribute the sources wherever possible. Our goal is to enhance the educational value of our content, fostering understanding and critical thinking.

If you have any concerns regarding the use of this footage, please contact us directly. We are committed to addressing any issues promptly. Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,
Everest Mystery